Records

In years past, records were instantly received as collectors' items. It isn't hard to guess why--many of them boasted the creative effort of countless designers and artists, and the cases themselves rightfully withstood the loving scrutiny of fans the world over. Today, much of that magic has been lost as manufacturers endeavor to make packaging materials smaller, cheaper and easier to discard.Downloadable music may offer advantages over older formats, but cover art certainly isn't one of them. If you grew up with vinyl, you probably remember how much care went into those materials--especially the albums that opened like a book to reveal ever more elaborate art and design work. As such, if you're looking for vinyl nowadays, it pays to investigate the condition of such materials before you buy.Physical and PermanentThese days, audiophiles in search of vinyl records must look a bit harder to find precisely the music they're seeking. However, purists can still find not only full albums, but also 45s and 78s that capture the spirit and unique acoustic richness of yesterday's commercial releases. Many of these old singles contain B-side tracks that were never released in any other format.In an era of instant downloads, the physicality and permanence of record albums continues to hold sway over an active population of music lovers. If anything, the increasing rarity of vinyl records has made them only more valuable, in terms of both nostalgia and financial value. A number of forward-looking technology companies have actually begun releasing vintage record players just to serve this groundswell of nostalgic fervor.